Levy County moves to submit three Opportunity Zone tracts to governor

Levy County commissioners authorized staff to submit a nomination letter to the governor to designate three Opportunity Zone tracts in the county, a step county economic development staff said could position the community to attract private capital to selected census tracts.

Landon Hera, economic development staff, explained Opportunity Zones as a federal tool that can draw long-term private investment to distressed or low-income census tracts and described the three nominated tracks (near Fanning Springs, Bronson and near the Williston airport). "These opportunity zones are designed to drive long term private investment, into distressed or low income census tracts," Hera said, adding that the designation does not itself change local zoning.

Commissioners cautioned that nomination does not grant zoning changes and emphasized the county’s ongoing comprehensive land-use update. Multiple members of the public asked questions about map clarity, whether property owners and residents would be notified, and potential effects on conservation lands. Staff clarified the designation positions sites to attract private capital but "will not open up new avenues for grants" by itself; it is primarily a federal tax-incentive mechanism for private investors.

A motion to approve the submission of the three tracts was made, seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff noted one of the county’s tracts ranked in the state’s list near the governor’s likely approval threshold and that submission was time-sensitive because the nominations were due that day.